As your baby nears their first birthday, you might see changes in their sleep. A once sound sleeper might now wake up a lot at night. This could be the 11-month sleep regression. During this time, your baby might not want to be in the crib, toss around, and cry a lot. Development changes, how they sleep, what bothers them, separation anxiety, and teething can all play a part. Learning new things may cause these issues. Usually, this phase lasts 2 to 6 weeks. With the right plan, you can help your baby sleep better again.
Key Takeaways
- The 11-month sleep regression is a common occurrence as babies reach new developmental milestones.
- Causes of the regression include changes in sleep patterns, increased sensitivity to stimuli, separation anxiety, and teething discomfort.
- The regression typically lasts 2-6 weeks but can vary based on individual factors.
- Implementing a consistent sleep routine and addressing specific sleep challenges can help your baby overcome the regression.
- Patience and the right strategies are key to helping your baby get back to restful nights during this temporary phase.
Understanding the 11 Month Sleep Regression
Baby sleep regressions are short sleep changes because of growing up. At 11 months old, your little one might be starting to crawl or stand. They could even try taking those first steps. Your baby is also learning to imitate movements and gestures. They are working on their language skills too.
All this takes a lot of work. It can make them tired and changes their sleep. This is normal as they go through many big changes in their first year.
What is a Sleep Regression?
A sleep regression means a baby’s sleep changes for a while. They might wake up more at night or have shorter naps. This happens during different stages of their growth, like around 11 months.
Signs of the 11 Month Sleep Regression
One sign of the 11 month sleep slump is not wanting to nap. Your baby may skip the second nap or both. They might also cry at night, have trouble sleeping, or wake up a lot. Sleeping through the night can also become a rare thing.
How Long Does the Sleep Regression Last?
This can last from 1 to 6 weeks. As your baby learns new things, their sleep might get worse before it gets better.
Causes of the 11 Month Sleep Regression
When your baby is nearly a year old, their sleep might change. The 11 month sleep regression has many causes. These include growing skills, noticing more sensory things, and teething pains.
Developmental Milestones
Babies start to do exciting physical things around this time. They may crawl, stand, or take early steps. This extra activity can make sleep time more restless. Also, babies start copying actions and gestures which can keep them up.
Transitioning Sleep Patterns
At 11 months, sleep needs and habits evolve. Babies grow and change, affecting how they sleep. They may wake up more at night. This period might be tough, but you can find ways to help your baby through it.
Increased Sensitivity to Stimuli
By 11 months, babies notice their environment more. They might be bothered by sudden noises, bright lights, or other things. This can make falling asleep harder for them.
Separation Anxiety
Babies become more aware of being without their parents around 11 months. They can feel upset if you’re not near at bedtime or if they wake up. This is called separation anxiety.
Teething Discomfort
Teething can be painful for babies. It might cause them to wake up more at night. Teething discomfort is one reason the 11 month sleep regression can be tough.
11 Month Old Sleep Schedule
Your 11-month-old baby is growing and changing a lot. They need about 2 naps a day now. It’s good to let them stay awake for 2.5 to 3.5 hours between naps. This way, they sleep better at night and their naps are longer.
Wake Windows and Nap Schedules
At this age, your baby might sleep around 11 hours at night. They would also take 2 naps, each about 1.5 hours. But every baby is different. Watch your baby’s signs and adjust your schedule to fit what works best for them.
Sample Sleep Schedule
For an 11-month-old, a good schedule includes a nap after 3 hours of being awake. Then, another nap about 3 to 3.5 hours after the first one. They should go to bed for the night about 3.5 to 4 hours after they wake up from the second nap.
It’s good to feed your baby every 2.5 to 3.5 hours during the day. They should sleep about 2.5 to 3 hours in total during the day. Nighttime bedtime should be between 7:00 to 8:00 pm.
Dealing with Nap Refusal
What if your baby doesn’t want to nap? You can try changing the times they wake up from naps. Make a cozy and quiet spot for them to nap. Remember, even if they seem ready for just one nap, your baby still needs two naps at this age.
Surviving the 11 Month Nap Regression
Many parents go through an 11 month nap regression with their babies. Suddenly, babies fight or refuse to nap. This can be hard since these babies still need two naps every day. It’s key to know your 11 month old isn’t ready for just one nap yet. They need short wake times and more sleep breaks.
Instead of losing a nap, try tweaking how long your baby is awake. Keep a steady schedule for naps and make a great place to sleep. With the right plan and being patient, you can tackle your baby’s nap time troubles. You will help them get the sleep they need.
Adjusting nap times can be helpful. Try out different awake and sleep times to see what works best. This keeps your baby from getting too tired, which might make them refuse naps. Also, keep a usual routine before a nap to tell your baby it’s nap time.
Make a perfect spot for sleeping. Use comfy blankets, add white noise, and keep the room dark and cold. This all helps your baby nap better during this hard time. By working on all things that bother your baby’s sleep, you can help them sleep well.
Remember, the 11 month nap trouble is a phase that will pass. With the right steps and being patient, your baby will start napping well again. Keep things the same and listen to what your little one needs. This way, you will help them through this time and they’ll keep growing strong with enough sleep.
11 Month Sleep Regression: Tips for Better Sleep
At 11 months, your baby might have a hard time sleeping. But, there are ways to help. Focus on a bedtime routine that’s the same every night. This can comfort your baby and get them ready for sleep. Also, teach them to soothe themselves. Use gentle methods to help them learn to sleep well.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
Have a routine that helps your baby know it’s time for bed. Start with a warm bath and a massage. Then, read a book and sing lullabies. Doing this every night will make your baby feel safe and ready to sleep.
Encourage Self-Soothing
At 11 months, it’s good to help your baby learn to calm down on their own. They can start by trying to sleep for a few minutes without help. A special toy or blanket might also comfort them. This helps them get better at falling asleep without help.
Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment
Make sure where your baby sleeps is just right. Use curtains to keep the room dark. Keep the temperature comfortable. And try to have a quiet, calm place for sleep. This helps your baby sleep well by reducing things that might wake them up.
Consider Sleep Training
If your baby still has trouble sleeping, gentle sleep training can help. The Ferber or pick-up/put-down ways might be good. These methods help babies learn to sleep on their own. Remember, deciding to train your baby to sleep is your choice. But it can make things easier for them.
Stay patient and use the tips above to help your 11 month old sleep better. Good sleep is important for their growth and health.
Addressing 11 Month Sleep Challenges
At 11 months, nap troubles can come with more sleep problems at night. Your baby might wake a lot or too early. It’s key to handle night wakings and early risings. If your baby wakes often or at 5 am, it might not just be a phase. It could be because they got used to needing help to sleep. You might need to do some sleep training. This will teach your baby to fall asleep alone.
Night Wakings and Early Risings
At 11 months, waking up a lot at night or too early can happen. It’s not always from the sleep regression. It could be new habits. Teaching your baby to sleep on their own can be helpful. This way, they can sleep better and you can too.
Separation Anxiety at Bedtime
Having a hard time at bedtime is common around this age. Babies start to miss you when you’re not there. Giving them extra comfort and a special toy to sleep with can help a lot. It shows them you’re still close. Also, telling your baby it’s okay and teaching them to calm down by themselves can make bedtime easier.
11 Month Sleep Regression: When Will It End?
The sleep regression duration for an 11-month-old usually lasts 1-2 weeks. But, sometimes it can go on for up to 6 weeks. As your baby learns new skills, their sleep may get worse before getting better. This can be a tough time, but remember that it’s just a phase.
Being patient and staying consistent is key. With the right steps, your baby’s sleep will get back on track in a few weeks. If the waking continues past 2 weeks, gentle sleep training might be needed to help your baby sleep better.
This sleep issue at 11 months is part of growing up. By knowing what to do and sticking to a routine, you and your baby can get through this. Then, sweet dreams will return for everyone in the family.
The Importance of Consistency
Consistency is key in the 11 month sleep regression. Bedtime routine should be predictable. Stick to nap schedules and age-appropriate wake times. Also, make sure the sleep spot is cozy. This helps your baby feel safe and practice self-soothing.
If you’re doing sleep training, stay consistent. It helps your baby adjust and learn new sleep habits well.
Being consistent offers stability to your child. This is important during their growth and many changes. Be patient and keep following your plan. This way, your 11 month old will soon sleep well again.
Conclusion
The 11 month sleep regression is a tough time for parents and babies. But, with the right plan, you can help them through it. You have to understand what causes this, like growth, changing sleep times, and things that bother them.
To help, set a regular bedtime and use sleep training. This will give your 11 month old the sleep they need. This phase is part of growing up for babies.
Being steady is the way to handle the 11 month sleep issue. Keep the same bedtime routine and wake times. This will make your baby feel safe and calm. Then, they will learn to relax and fall asleep.
